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[sainraja]

Blizzard Entertainment has had an eventful year. Following Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the studio has seen the successful releases of World of Warcraft: The War Within and Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred but also had to deal with mass layoffs and the release of Jason Schreier’s revealing book Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment. To cap off this hectic year, and in lieu of its traditional BlizzCon event, Blizzard Entertainment is holding a Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct livestream this week.

Warcraft: Orcs & Humans is the game that put Blizzard on the map, and it was first released on November 15, 1994. Thirty years later, the franchise has expanded with games like World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, and Warcraft Rumble. Now, Blizzard is going to celebrate them all during a single livestream. It’s something that Warcraft fans will certainly want to tune into. For those interested, I’ve rounded up everything you need to know about how to watch the Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct and what you should expect from it.

When is the Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct?​

The Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct will begin at 10 a.m. PT on November 13. Blizzard has not said how long the Direct will last, but has confirmed that a World of Warcraft: 20 Years of Music concert will air right after the show concludes.

How to watch the Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct​

The first showcase of its kind, the Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct will air on World of Warcraft’s YouTube channel and the Warcraft Twitch and TikTok channels. As soon as the YouTube premiere for the event goes live, I’ll embed it above so you can watch the Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct on this page. On Twitch, Blizzard also plans to give away in-game rewards for World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, and Warcraft Rumble to viewers.

What to expect from the Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct​

“It’s a big year for the Warcraft universe and whether you’re a Hearthstone fan, you’ve joined the chaos in Warcraft Rumble, ventured into the world of Azeroth for the first time in Warcraft: Orcs and Humans, or you’re a World of Warcraft player, there’s something for everyone in our Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct stream,” the official description of the event states. It seems like a safe bet to assume that we’ll learn more about upcoming updates for games like World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, and Warcraft Rumble here.

The biggest question marks surrounding the Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct are what surprises Blizzard has in store. One appears to have leaked with Warcraft II Remastered, which seems to be an enhanced version of 1995’s Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness. It definitely seems like the Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct stream is worth tuning into if you want to learn more about that and other upcoming Warcraft projects.

Source:

Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct: How to watch and what to expect | Digital Trends

Here's what you should know before tuning into the Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct to get the latest news on World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, and more.

www.digitaltrends.com

 

[sainraja]

I didn't see anyone discussing this yet so decided to post. I have read that we might be getting a WarCraft 2 remaster and that they are also planning updates for WarCraft 3. Loved WarCraft 2, many good memories and same with WarCraft 3.

 

[adamsapple]

Guessing W3 Remastered (and W2 remaster announcement) coming to Game Pass, too?

 

[sainraja]

That wouldn't surprise me. They have added the games to Battle.net and next step could be Game Pass but I hope we get more announcements than that. I see on Battle.net that we have to buy WarCraft 2 Classic but I still have my original game with its CD key so hoping I can use that to claim the classic version on bnet.



Okay, I found the solution for those that still have the original game with its CD. This won't allow you to play it via the new BNET launcher but it will bring your version up-to-date.

The WC2BNE CD key can’t be linked to a Battlenet account. The generation/validation algorithm that was used with WC2BNE has been lost to time, meaning the modern Battlenet doesn’t have a way to read them. So the short answer is yes, WC2 would need to be bought again in order to use it through the launcher.

That said, if you don’t mind using the game’s shortcut to play, you can:

1. Install from the original CD (using the CD key).
2. Patch up to current. You can find patches on some of the fan websites. Just use discretion on where you get it from. I believe the most current patch is 2.02.
3. For stability and graphic fixes, use “Patch #4” and for Battlenet functionality use “Patch #4” which can be found here 53.

At this point you’ll have the same version that those using the launcher have (with some stability fixes as well).

Here:

Warcraft II Battle.net edition cd-key redeem

I, too, paid for the BNET version when I already had GOG, under the assumption there was going to be a difference between the 2. I won’t ask for a refund, but would instead ask that Blizzard puts some work into their legacy games to make it worth the purchase 🙂

us.forums.blizzard.com

 

[Interfectum]

Sounds like they are "fixing" WC3 Reforged, we are getting WC2 Remastered, a special surprise announcement for World of Warcraft (console port? expansion news?), etc.

 

[sainraja]

Sounds like they are "fixing" WC3 Reforged, we are getting WC2 Remastered, a special surprise announcement for World of Warcraft (console port? expansion news?), etc.

I hope the special announcement is for WarCraft 4. Not likely but one can hope.

 

[Ovek]

Nothing but disappointment.

 

[Rush2112]

WC III remaster is so bad, the unpatched CD ROM for the game is better.

 

[Interfectum]

WC III remaster is so bad, the unpatched CD ROM for the game is better.

There is apparently a mysterious 2.0 patch floating out there... we'll see if that makes any of this better. Also, that new Blizzard book sort of explains why WC3 Reforge got so fucked up. (Activision)

 

[DonkeyPunchJr]

Warcraft 4 for iOS and Android.

 

[Kvally]

Surprise me with a console version, PLEASE.

 

[Saber]

Very dissapointing imo. The least thing I would expect is doing a work for WC3 for real this time(like new heroes instead of gender swapping existing ones and removing lines snowflakes and soycucks finds offensives), not fixes for something wasn't even supposed to be broken.

 

[sainraja]

Surprise me with a console version, PLEASE.

They had a console version for WarCraft 2 on the PS1 so it's not like they haven't done that before and I think they also put StarCraft on consoles in the past? so yeah, it would be nice to see this on consoles but for me, playing RTS on PC is where it's at.

 

[Kvally]

They had a console version for WarCraft 2 on the PS1 so it's not like they haven't done that before and I think they also put StarCraft on consoles in the past? so yeah, it would be nice to see this on consoles but for me, playing RTS on PC is where it's at.

I wasn't aware. That gives me hope. MAYBE, just MAYBE one day I will go PC. 2025? Hard to say. I have such a large library of digital games on my Xbox and PS, it would be like throwing them away (besides the Xbox ones that support Play Anywhere).

 

[sainraja]

I wasn't aware. That gives me hope. MAYBE, just MAYBE one day I will go PC. 2025? Hard to say. I have such a large library of digital games on my Xbox and PS, it would be like throwing them away (besides the Xbox ones that support Play Anywhere).

Yeah, here is a video of it on the PS1:


And yes having a big library on consoles is a good reason not to fully move to PC. I haven't myself but for RTS games, I dunno, I just can't with RTS lol. It feels wrong.

 

[Kvally]

Yeah, here is a video of it on the PS1:


And yes having a big library on consoles is a good reason not to fully move to PC. I haven't myself but for RTS games, I dunno, I just can't with RTS lol. It feels wrong.

Dayum, that looks soooo old!

 

[Kacho]

I had the PS1 version back in high school. Played the ever loving shit out of it. One of my friends was a PCMR asshole and said the graphics were terrible. Triggered the fuck outta me.

Never forget.

 

[sainraja]

Dayum, that looks soooo old!

The game on PC looks pretty close to that minus the hud and the game is pretty fun regardless of the graphics. It turned me off initially, but I gave it another go and was hooked!

 

[Fake]

I hope for another 'you guys don't have phones?' quote.

 

[sainraja]

I had the PS1 version back in high school. Played the ever loving shit out of it. One of my friends was a PCMR asshole and said the graphics were terrible. Triggered the fuck outta me.

Never forget.

I played this a lot but on PC. As for graphics, well, I would say the PS1 looks pretty close, of-course, when you are playing it on a old school TV, you've got those scanlines but that probably helped the look for those TVs, anyway.

 

[sainraja]

I hope for another 'you guys don't have phones?' quote.

I was at the BlizzCon when that happened, but skipped the Diablo Immortal announcement panel lol.

 

[diffusionx]

They need to fix Warcraft 3 remastered if they want to show that this is anything but just talk and marketing. It just showed such a total lack of disrespect for their own legacy and history.

The game on PC looks pretty close to that minus the hud and the game is pretty fun regardless of the graphics. It turned me off initially, but I gave it another go and was hooked!

PS1 game looks like it used the same art as the PC version but at a lower resolution.

They had a console version for WarCraft 2 on the PS1 so it's not like they haven't done that before and I think they also put StarCraft on consoles in the past? so yeah, it would be nice to see this on consoles but for me, playing RTS on PC is where it's at.

Yes, StarCraft 64. I don't think these games would play that well on a console, and definitely not be competitive in multiplayer with a gamepad, but why not at this point.

 

[sainraja]

They need to fix Warcraft 3 remastered if they want to show that this is anything but just talk and marketing. It just showed such a total lack of disrespect for their own legacy and history.

Yeah, they didn't need to do much to please gamers. They just needed to stick to how the game was, just with updated graphics.

PS1 game looks like it used the same art as the PC version but at a lower resolution.

Yup, the hud is different too but makes sense since it is on console.

Yes, StarCraft 64. I don't think these games would play that well on a console, and definitely not be competitive in multiplayer with a gamepad, but why not at this point.

Ah, yup. That was it. And as for controls, well, after Diablo, I can see Blizzard making it work and they have Halo's RTS version to take inspiration from if anything, although I haven't played it so not sure how well that translated, since I prefer PC for RTS.

 

[adamsapple]

Yes, StarCraft 64. I don't think these games would play that well on a console, and definitely not be competitive in multiplayer with a gamepad, but why not at this point.

RTS's have had full KB+M support on consoles for year(s) now, this can very easily come to the console, but yes it would need at leas some kind of manageable arbitrary controller support.

 

[Kvally]

Yes, StarCraft 64. I don't think these games would play that well on a console, and definitely not be competitive in multiplayer with a gamepad, but why not at this point.

They would play fine on console. You could use a game pad or use keyboard/mouse.

 

[diffusionx]

Ah, yup. That was it. And as for controls, well, after Diablo, I can see Blizzard making it work and they have Halo's RTS version to take inspiration from if anything, although I haven't played it so not sure how well that translated, since I prefer PC for RTS.

I really don't want to harp on this but Blizzard RTS games are imo uniquely unsuited to gamepad. They are built around micromanaging units and powers and fast APM and it just doesn't work on gamepad, at all. The Halo RTS games were designed around controllers, Diablo 3 was modified for controllers (it is why gamepad support never came to PC, it's a different game under the hood) and D4 was designed around gamepad from day one.

But, as others said, you can plug mouse and keyboard in, and if people want to play it in a gimped way on a gamepad, why not at this point.

 

[xanaum]

Is there any hope we’ll ever get Warcraft 4 someday?

 

[sainraja]

I really don't want to harp on this but Blizzard RTS games are imo uniquely unsuited to gamepad. They are built around micromanaging units and powers and fast APM and it just doesn't work on gamepad, at all. The Halo RTS games were designed around controllers, Diablo 3 was modified for controllers (it is why gamepad support never came to PC, it's a different game under the hood) and D4 was designed around gamepad from day one.

But, as others said, you can plug mouse and keyboard in, and if people want to play it in a gimped way on a gamepad, why not at this point.

Yeah, gotcha, I see what you are saying now. I can see it being challenging to put in the work to make micro-managing units work, there are a few ways I can think of that could work but I am not sure how it will affect other systems in the game and obviously I am not about to work on doing that haha. I see your point. It's not going to be a straight-forward translation, they will likely make some compromises.

 

[grvg]

Warcraft Royale on your phone

 

[sainraja]

Just a reminder. This is today.

You can watch it here when it is live:

 

[Fake]

I expect more letdown.

 

[Luipadre]

Put wow into game pass you cowards. Kinda crazy that game still has monthly sub and a store where they sell you mounts for fucking 90 dollars

 

[sainraja]

Crossing fingers but hoping for WarCraft 4!!!

 

[Hookshot]

I don't dare start wow again, and I imagine with modern quality of life updates like build queues the old RTS' would be a breeze so I'm not sure why I'm watching this... but I will.

 

[Caffeine]

time for them to pull me back in

 

[rodrigolfp]

The game on PC looks pretty close to that minus the hud and the game is pretty fun regardless of the graphics. It turned me off initially, but I gave it another go and was hooked!

"pretty close".

That resolutions is catastrophic.

 

[Krathoon]

It would be pretty wild if they made another RTS.

 

[Krathoon]

Warcraft single player RPG.

 

[samoilaaa]

wasnt there a leak about warcraft 4 a long time ago

 

[amigastar]

Guessing W3 Remastered (and W2 remaster announcement) coming to Game Pass, too?

Oh, i hope so. Why they don't fix W3 Reforged? I mean come on.

 

[Interfectum]

Oh, i hope so. Why they don't fix W3 Reforged? I mean come on.

Apparently they are fixing it…

 

[amigastar]

Apparently they are fixing it…

yeah, i remember hearing that, but i only believe it when its done.
Fixing it and release on Game Pass would be so awesome.

 

[rodrigolfp]

Oh, i hope so. Why they don't fix W3 Reforged? I mean come on.

Fix what exactly?

 

[Tg89]

Just hoping for a fresh classic/hc at this point.

New content is cool but Blizzard isn't good enough to deliver these days. People mentioning graphics overhaul but the last one kinda sucked, OG still looks better.

 

[Gp1]

Imho Reforged is already good enough but now it's worth just because some really passionate guys are converting the entire W2 saga with new units mechanics, etc. for Reforged.

TIdes of darkness orc campaign is already available. With plans for Humans and W2x after.

 

[Hookshot]

Decided to go cook instead, hopefully a huge Warhammer total war style Warcraft game, mixing the 3 old games together into a world of Warcraft happens.

 

[Antwix]

Can't help but have hope. Please warcraft 4.

 

[Antwix]

Remastered WC2 and WC1 nice.

 

[Yoshichan]

damn

 

[sainraja]

Updated WC3. WC1/2 remastered. Available today! Whoooo! Yes!